Scan Magazine | Culinary Feature | Kamai
Kamai – where taste knows no borders Located in Grünerløkka, Oslo’s most up-and-coming neighbourhood, Kamai serves up Nikkei-style cuisine twisted to suit its Scandinavian context. With the chefs keen on exploring new flavours, the seven-course menu is constantly evolving. A quick look around the project leaves an impression of its size, scope and ambition. Even if you are not in the mood for a two-hour taste exploration, but rather looking for a cocktail or a spot for sushi and bao, Kamai’s cosy café and cocktail bar have plenty to offer. By Eirik Elvevold | Photos: Kamai
For the last decade, Grünerløkka has been leading urban renewal in Oslo. Located just to the east of the river Akerselva, the area has traditionally been right on the border between Oslo’s primarily working class districts to the east and its middle and upper class districts to the west. Home to a large immigrant population, the breakdown of classes and cultures here has created a feeling of excitement 20 | Issue 94 | November 2016
somewhat similar to that found in other inner city crossroads such as Shoreditch in London and Kreuzberg in Berlin, and has acted as a catalyst for the gradual appearance of interesting boutique stores, cafés, bars and restaurants in this increasingly dynamic part of the city. “Our main inspiration is Nikkei cuisine, a form of fusion formed by Japanese immigrants in Peru, with a history going back many generations. But we don’t have a
crystal-clear style. We want to achieve intriguing tastes, and sometimes that involves an extra twist or two,” says Kamai’s general manager, Christer Magnusson. “When I opened Kamai with owner Jonathan Uy Romano and head chef Halvor Woll Sørlie, our goal was always to do something a little unusual on our own terms. Another goal of mine and the service team is that you will feel at home here. We wanted to prioritise professionalism, but at the same time deconstruct the formal nature of a lot of restaurants. Grünerløkka can be personal like that in a way. So that’s something we really wanted to emulate,” Magnusson explains.
A constantly evolving menu Kamai’s cuisine is unique in Oslo, with its own interpretation of the Nikkei kitchen. You will find familiar Nordic ingredients